Here on the East Coast, we’ve had a cold Spring, but warm weather is finally here.

Which means we really can stop wearing boots, sweaters and coats. Well at least that’s what usually happens at this time of year.

So, now it is time to not just stop wearing cool weather clothes, but also to put them away so you won’t be surprised when the cold weather comes back in the fall. I just don’t want you to make the same mistake I once did.

Here is my tale.

I was extremely fortunate to have had one week in Paradise, AKA, Turks and Caicos while snow fell in my part of the country, and really didn’t have a care in the world except deciding which top should I wear with my white jeans. Yet, I almost didn’t have the opportunity to make that choice.

When I took my white pants off my closet shelf to pack, I saw that I had not washed them before putting them away in September. There were stains on the hems and some sort of schmutz on one of the legs. I failed to clean them after wearing them for the last time. Perhaps I was in denial that warm days were over for the year.

My bad. 

My big mistake, and clearly my having been to lazy to take the time to review my clothes properly before putting them away.

Fortunately, I was able to get the stains out, and even better get my body back in those jeans. Double whew.

When the seasons and what we wear change, it is best to clean your clothes before storing them away. Here are 3 tips for changing out clothes for different seasons.

1. Wash or dry clean the clothes you often wore.
2. Make any repairs to your shoes and/or boots before storing them away.
3. Review all the clothes you didn’t wear, and determine if they should even be in your closet and drawers.

Then when the next season starts, you will be ready to go.